“WHAT HAPPENEDUHHH?!?!”; JUST ASK BARTLESVILLE’S JAMES DROZ
Bartlesville’s James Droz is pictured with Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders.
Photo provided
By Mike Tupa
Sept. 17, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Someone once said dreams can be stubborn things.
But James Droz is not a man easily discouraged.
Just three years out of Bartlesville High School, Droz has already rubbed shoulders with some of the most well-known athletes in the modern scene, has scored a touchdown in a prep football game, has announced a draft pick at the NFL draft, has established a popular national social media sports and entertainment commentary site and for the past several years has been a friendly presence on the internet for millions of Americans.
Considering Droz wasn’t handed exactly a completely-fair deck by fate— he has down syndrome — his story is a remarkable true chronicle of courage, determination, persistence, awareness and intelligence and the heights to which the human spirit is capable of climbing in a free society.
His trademark phrase “What Happeneduhhh?!?!” — or some close variation — is the familiar lead-in into his short home-made videos featuring his observations about a game, athlete/coach or a related sports/entertainment topic.
He is credited on one social media outlet with having more than 1.2 million followers and approximately 40 million likes.
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The James Droz trademark “What Happeneduhhh?!?!” t-shirt.
Photo provided
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Just two years ago the Kansas City Chiefs invited him to attend the 2023 NFL draft announcements on their day-three picks. Droz welcomed Nic Jones as the seventh-round pick of the Chiefs. (Jones earned a roster spot and was part of Kansas City’s Super Bowl Championship team that season.)
James also is part of the celebrity-driven Cameo website — listed as a “Viral Star” — that offers personalized videos for birthdays or any occasion.
Droz continues to cement his celebrity status in other ways.
Back in mid-July, he was invited by some Kansas City Chiefs’ players to participate in the 2025 Kansas City Charity Pickleball event.
Pickleball is played with a smooth-faced paddle on court separated by a net — a kind of hybrid ping pong/tennis look and style of play.
The fundraiser created plenty of enthusiasm.
“It was really a nice thing,” said Droz’ mother Susan Hainzinger. “Some of the Chiefs’ players put it on. It benefitted some of the charities near and dear to their hearts.”
Droz enjoyed the experience of being there and playing pickleball.
“I’m into pickleball,” he said, adding that he’s still enjoying making his videos — sometimes as many as a dozen on a weekend — for social media.
Hosting the celebrity-studded event were Chiefs’ tight end Noah Gray and retired Chiefs’ receiver Gehrig Dieter.
Dieter “was a very nice man,” Hainzinger said.
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James Droz, left, with former teammate Caleb Perry.
Photo provided
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Droz enjoyed an unexpected benefit. During his stay there he encountered former Bartlesville High School classmate and friend Caleb Perry.
The event took place at the Chicken N Pickle North Kansas City facility.
With summer coming to an end, Droz said he’s gearing up for some fall opportunities.
Droz also remains a passionate pro wrestling fan.
During his high school years, Droz volunteered to help the football team and served in many supportive roles, including a locker room and sideline motivator for the players.
During his senior year, then-Bartlesville head coach Jason Sport suited up Droz for the final home game. With the No. 77 spread proudly across his broad chest, Droz got into the game — the score was already lopsided — and took a handoff and scored on a 30-plus yard touchdown run while players from both teams escorted him to the end zone and mobbed him after he scored.
Meanwhile, the frenzied Bruin home crowd — especially the student section — erupted in wild celebration due a hero.
Someone once said dreams can be stubborn things.
But James Droz has proven that those that dare to reach up with faith to the stars can develop an elastic reach.